Anonymous Blogging
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately.
The EFF has put out a little HOWTO on HowTo Blog Anonymously. Now, this might not seem like a big deal, but if you’re blogging about work or some other sensitive topic, it can mean the difference between a paycheck or not, or, even doing jail-time, or not. The reason I’ve been thinking about it is that so many people know me and my blog. I have all sorts of friends and relatives who read my blog and, of course, potential employers read it, too. All of that means that I self-censor fairly heavily. Notice, for instance, how little I say about the poor, dear thing that I’ve been dating? No need for the crazy ex-wife, or her equally wacky new husband, to get all charged up about what a good or bad time I’m having with her. I mean, we all know how jealous she gets of anyone who might show any significant interest in me, though I really don’t know why she can’t seem to move on now that she’s re-married for the fourth, and hopefully final, time. Nor have I mentioned the roommate thing lately. He’s moved out, by the way, at my request. There were a number of reasons behind that, but, most importantly, I’m going back to Hoffman’s First Rule of Roommates: After college, never have a roomie with whom you’re not sleeping. Having someone else in the house just got on my nerves too much for my own good mental health, so, I shut down Hoffman’s Home for Wayward Boys for a bit. (Of course, I’ve been thinking of opening Hoffman’s Home for Unwed Mothers, but that’s a whole different post!)
Now, where was I? Oh, right, anonymous blogging. So, there are things that I’d love to rant about in a public or semi-public forum, but don’t want to associate with my Real Life persona. Things that I’d like to talk through via a blog that could be taken the wrong way by people who might read it. Not that I think most of my loyal readers care, but, still, you get the general idea, right? I haven’t gone so far as to start a hidden blog, yet, but it is something that I’ve thought about doing. And, if I ever do, I’ll use the EFF HowTo guide to do it!
Advice from your Uncle Jim:
"There is no pit so deep that Jesus is not deeper still."
--Corrie Ten Boom
I agree with keeping things a bit censored. only two people that know me personally know about my blog, and they both live at other ends of the continent. i like not having to justify what i write to my family, friends, etc. 🙂
Comment by moi — 8/3/2006 @ 3:48 pm
Yes, it does become problematic sometimes. For instance, when my brother reads it, though he’s the only family member who does, or my crazy ex-wife/stalker or her equally crazy fourth husband/stalker read my blog. Still, I do my best to write as if they’re not there reading. I don’t always manage it, of course, but, I try.
Oh, and I’m the only one who sees the e-mail addresses, so it’s okay to leave them. Just so you know.
Comment by the Network Geek — 8/3/2006 @ 5:09 pm